Good Friday Turns Tragic as Israeli Strikes Kill 58 in Gaza
As Christians around the world observed Good Friday with solemn rituals and remembrance, tragedy struck Gaza, where Israeli air raids took the lives of at least 58 Palestinians in a single day. The deadliest assaults occurred in Gaza City and the northern region, though bombings were reported across the entire Strip â from Khan Younis to Rafah â according to medical personnel.
The devastating attacks came as Palestinians in Gaza were already struggling to cope with a severe economic crisis, exacerbated by a decade-long blockade imposed by Israel and Egypt. The blockaded territory is home to over 2 million Palestinians, with many relying on humanitarian aid to survive.
The Israeli airstrikes, which began early on Good Friday morning, targeted residential areas, mosques, and infrastructure, causing widespread destruction and chaos. The attacks were met with widespread condemnation from the international community, with many calling for an immediate end to the violence.
The Israeli military claimed that the strikes were in response to a rocket attack launched from Gaza, which caused no casualties or damage in Israel. However, human rights groups and aid organizations have repeatedly condemned Israel’s use of force, describing it as disproportionate and illegal under international law.
Eyewitnesses described the scenes of devastation as “apocalyptic,” with buildings reduced to rubble and debris scattered across the streets. Medical personnel reported a surge in casualties, with many more injured and trapped beneath the rubble.
“The sounds of explosions and gunfire were non-stop,” said Dr. Fadi al-Najar, a physician at Gaza City’s Shifa Hospital. “We’ve seen some of the worst injuries I’ve ever seen in my career. It’s like a war zone here.”
The attacks also caused significant damage to Gaza’s healthcare system, with several hospitals and medical facilities hit by Israeli bombs. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that several medical staff were injured, and that the attacks had disrupted essential healthcare services.
The Israeli military’s use of force has been met with widespread criticism from around the world. The United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Nickolay Mladenov, condemned the attacks, saying that they “deeply disturbed” him.
“I am appalled and deeply disturbed by the indiscriminate use of force in Gaza today,” Mladenov said in a statement. “There can be no justification for the killing and wounding of civilians, including women and children, and the destruction of hospitals and other civilian infrastructure.”
The European Union also condemned the attacks, calling for an immediate end to the violence. “The European Union condemns in the strongest possible terms the attacks carried out by Israeli forces in Gaza today,” said a spokesperson for the EU’s foreign policy chief. “The EU calls on all parties to exercise restraint and to respect international law.”
The United States, however, took a different stance, with the State Department issuing a statement that did not directly condemn the attacks. Instead, it called on the Palestinians to “cease all violent activity” and for the Israeli military to “take necessary measures to protect its people.”
The Good Friday attacks in Gaza also highlighted the devastating impact of the Israeli blockade on the territory’s healthcare system. The blockade, which was imposed in 2007, has severely restricted the movement of goods and people in and out of Gaza, leading to widespread shortages of medical supplies and equipment.
“The blockade has had a devastating impact on our healthcare system,” said Dr. Ahmed al-Khudari, a leading figure in the Gaza Strip’s medical community. “We’re struggling to provide even the most basic healthcare services to our patients. The Israeli attacks have only made things worse.”
As the world continues to reel from the devastating attacks in Gaza, it is clear that the situation remains precarious and volatile. The international community must come together to demand an immediate end to the violence and to work towards a lasting solution to the conflict.
Source: https://newskarnataka.com/world/faith-flickers-in-gaza-as-bombs-fall-on-good-friday/20042025/
